Opening this week are Kevin Greutert's "Saw VI"; Paul Weitz's "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant"; Mira Nair's "Amelia" with Hilary Swank and Richard Gere; and David Bowers' "Astro Boy."
SAW VI (directed by Kevin Greutert)
Synopsis: Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.
First thoughts: To tell you the truth, I am tired of the "Saw" franchise. I'm all for sequels as long as they manage to bring something innovative to the series, but this one has failed at that. Thus, my hopes for this sixth film are not exactly shiny. My excitement meter for this one: 5/10.
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ASTRO BOY (directed by David Bowers)
Synopsis: Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Tenma (Nicolas Cage). Powered by positive “blue” energy, Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore) is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly.
First thoughts: I certainly don't consider myself a fan of Astro, but hey, I love animated films, so as long as this one boasts great visuals, a good story and fun characters, I'm in. That said, the trailer for "Astro Boy" failed to win me over. Machine guns in his butt? Come on... My excitement meter for this one: 6/10.
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AMELIA (with Hilary Swank, Richard Gere)
Synopsis: "Amelia" chronicles the life of the famous American pilot who became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic by herself. In 1937, she disappeared somewhere over the Pacific during an attempt to fly around the world. Hilary Swank stars as the title character, with Richard Gere playing publisher George Putnam.
First thoughts: Yes, this is the film I am looking forward to most this weekend. Trailer looks great, the cast looks promising, and I'm ready to take off with Amelia. My excitement meter for this one: 9/10.
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CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT
Synopsis: "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.
First thoughts: Sorry, but I'm just not into the whole vampire stuff. Plus, the trailer for this film doesn't exactly look like much fun. Vampires battling each other? What else is new? My excitement meter for this one: 6/10.